Fitting standard straps to 5S

I've had some success getting a normal aftermarket leather strap to fit my 5S and thought I'd share.

Any normal 20mm wide strap should fit, with the only challenges being the width of the bars and removing the bars from the watch. Each bar has a T6 Torx (not a T5 as I've seen others state elsewhere on the forum - a T5 might grip, but with significant play and the risk of damaging driver and bar end) head at each end. Use a T6 driver at each end to undo and remove the bar (I wouldn't advise using a single T6 driver and trying to grip the bar to prevent it spinning, as you're likely to end up with idiot marks if you use pliers/grips). At 2mm wide the bars can be a challenge to squeeze in. For rubber/silicone straps a dab of washing liquid to lubricate the pin should be enough. For leather straps I pre-stretched the loop in the strap using first a 5/64 ball-end hex key and then a 3/32 ball-end hex key, which seemed less violent than trying to use a drill. The bars then slid in with reasonable pressure.

Will take some photos once my new straps arrive, as I had to cannibalise one from my analogue watch to test. :)
  • Or just get a standard F5 which has a proper strap. The front of the watch is roughly the same size of the 5S if you include the lugs. You get a bigger face and a much more supportive strap.
  • Or just get a standard F5 which has a proper strap. The front of the watch is roughly the same size of the 5S if you include the lugs. You get a bigger face and a much more supportive strap.

    It's just a matter of personal preference. I prefer my 5S much more and have returned the F5. The F5 was just a little to big for me. Wearing the F5 while sleeping was really uncomfortable while the 5S doesn't bother me at all.
    I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.
  • It's just a matter of personal preference. I prefer my 5S much more and have returned the F5. The F5 was just a little to big for me. Wearing the F5 while sleeping was really uncomfortable while the 5S doesn't bother me at all.
    I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.


    Glad you're happy with it. I just couldn't live with that narrow strap. It took me a few runs to realise. The F5 seems to stay in place better without needing to cut off blood supply to your hand!
  • Or just get a standard F5 which has a proper strap. The front of the watch is roughly the same size of the 5S if you include the lugs. You get a bigger face and a much more supportive strap.


    The F5 has exactly the same style strap as the F5S, just 2mm wider, so not sure what you're on about. Plus 'roughly the same size' equates to 'overhanging your wrist' for some people - an additional 0.5cm is a big difference for anyone with a slimmer wrist. I wasn't looking for a more supportive strap, merely to fit a leather one rather than the standard quickfit silicone one.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    For me, 20mm is quite wide. I am on the lookout for some decent priced tapered straps. For now I have ordered some straps from cheapestnatostraps and will post pics once they come in and I put one on.

    OP, still no pics?
  • Not the OP but here’s my Fenis 5S with a 20mm strap from Hirsh installed. Used ball head hex drivers to open up the straps ends a bit. Total time for install was maybe 10 minutes.ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1409036.jpg